Ok, So I replaced all 4 struts this past Saturday @ 177,000 miles
GR2 kit for 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix : KYB Outlet : 2 pcs : 339089, 2pcs : 334228 : $256.15 - Delivered
Hardest part was swapping the springs over, not that it was difficult, just time consuming, got the spring compressor loaner
from Autozone... $50.00, Nice tool, worked well, only drawback was that the top strut mount and the bottom spring seat projected way out past the
spring itself so with the compressor installed I could not get a ratchet on the screw, so I had to wrench it, a 3/4" Gearwrench
would have worked well but I didn't have one, so 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn... took about a hour to remove and replace the
drivers front, then moved on to the passenger front, that one went a little quicker at 40 mins,,, 10 mins to get it off 20 minutes
messing around with the spring and then 10 minutes to get it back on, Moving around to the rear, had to reach up into the back
of the trunk to get the top three bolts, not enough space for a ratchet, a 15mm gearwrench is the way to go here too but didn't
have one so again with the wrench, 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn, 1/2 turn... Had to remove the rear calipers though to make room to swing
the hammer to pound out the strut/knuckle bolts, had a little trouble pounding the bottom bolts out here with a 3 pound
hammer, moved up to a five pounder and they popped out after a few firm hits, took about 45 mins each side so all in all about
4 hours from getting all my tools out to cleanup, uneventful everything went as it should have, except for one minor mishap, I
had the rear passenger side strut out and up on the bench I removed the spring then took a quick break I took a leak and had
my daughter make me a quick sammich, back to work I moved the spring over to the new strut put on the top mount and released the spring, carried it over to the car stuck it up in the hole got the three top nuts on, walked
around to the wheel well sat down and realized I had forgot to put the boot on, "$%@#", so off it came, once again with the
spring and then back on the car "$%@#". The old struts were completely shot, they had nothing left at all, I could push them
down with my index finger and hold them down with my pinky.
Working on the ground was difficult too, I'm 47 now and my knees are shot from years of abuse, so with the car raised on a lift
I think I could have done it in half the time.
Anyway my local fixit shop quoted $1350.00 for the job and another shop closer to where I work wanted $1200.00 so I saved
$1000.00 bucks on the deal, I'm happy.
